What needs to be done and why?
Strategic Issue 1
What needs to be done
Addressing high rates of under 18 conceptions and births in Hartlepool a whole-system approach which involves health, education, youth services, and local government working in a collaborative. A multi-agency approach using guidance from All Our Health and the Tees Sexual Health Needs Assessment recommendations and future Tees Alliance Partnership Sexual Health Service contracts. Guidance suggests steps such as assessing local need, tailored contraceptive services for young people, contraception post-pregnancy and abortion and training professionals to young person need. For vulnerable children and families safeguarding, early education and multi-agency support is needed.
Why
The under 18 birth rate is high and under 16 conceptions are increasing. Rates of under 25s attending specialist contraceptive services in Hartlepool is higher than regional and national rates which suggests a promising knowledge base among this group. However, work must be done to understand whether the older half of the 13-24 age group are accessing services more frequently than the younger half.
Strategic Issue 2
What needs to be done
STI (Sexual Transmitted Infections) burden is higher in Hartlepool than regionally and nationally, particularly for Genital Herpes and Syphilis. The rates are increasing; current services may be under pressure as a result. Ensure access to services is equitable across the Borough, particularly in areas of deprivation. STI testing outreach in areas of high burden and/or high deprivation by education, reducing stigma and increasing testing. Expansion of LGBTQ+ inclusive services. Using All Our Health guidance and the Tees Sexual Health Needs Assessment recommendations and future Tees Alliance Partnership Sexual Health Service contracts.
Why
Areas of deprivation tend to have a higher burden of STI due to lower health literacy, economic factors, access barriers and stigma. By providing equitable access in areas of high burden or higher risk this will reduce barriers to access. Ensuring services are flexible with reasonable wait times will improve access, digital booking services would also aid this. Staff training to reduce stigma and barriers in this group would benefit access barriers.
Strategic Issue 3
What needs to be done
Contraceptive prescription varies between GP and SRH (Sexual Health Services). LARC (Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive) and short acting combined hormonal contraceptive prescribing in GPs is lower than regionally and nationally, whereas injectable contraception prescribing is lower in SRH services than regionally and nationally. There is a need for integration between GP and SRH services as contraceptive prescription varies between both.
Why
NHS guidance highlights the need for better integration to ensure continuity of care, especially for vulnerable groups. Using All Our Health guidance and the Tees Alliance Partnership Sexual Health Service contracts.